Cathy Cassidy comes to UCLan

Best-selling children’s author Cathy Cassidy has inspired the next generation of writers after young fans flocked to the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) for the novelist’s visit.

Local children and budding writers met the author of over 20 published books when she visited UCLan to discuss her successful career, share tips with aspiring writers and sign copies of her latest book Coco Caramel.

Cathy arrived at UCLan in a VW campervan, supplied by local company Chase The Sun, in a tribute to her book Dizzy which also features the iconic vehicle.

“Many of the students on the MA Publishing and MA Writing for Children courses at UCLan also took the opportunity to meet Cathy and gain an insight into how to succeed in the industry.”

Arriving at UCLan Cathy said: “I’m looking forward to meeting my fans and talking to them about my books and how I became a writer. It’s exciting to see how enthusiastic the children are about reading and how it fires their imagination.”

Grace Gudgeon, a 11-year-old fan from Fulwood, said: “It was great to meet my favourite author, especially as I’ve just finished reading her latest book, Coco Caramel. I found her talk very inspiring and I got to ask her a couple of questions too. I love English lessons at school and hope to be a writer like Cathy when I’m older.”

“I found her talk very inspiring and I got to ask her a couple of questions too. I love English lessons at school and hope to be a writer like Cathy when I’m older.”

Lytham resident 9-year-old Camille Swarbrick added: “Cathy was really interesting and has given me loads of ideas. I’d love to be a writer when I grow up.”

The event was organised by Dee Devine, an MA Publishing student at the University, as part of her course.

She said: “It’s great to welcome Cathy to UCLan and to see the children so excited to meet their favourite author. Many of the students on the MA Publishing and MA Writing for Children courses at UCLan also took the opportunity to meet Cathy and gain an insight into how to succeed in the industry.”